The second annual International Jazz Day is being celebrated tomorrow in every country around the world. Organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, each year on April 30 International Jazz Day highlights jazz's unique power for advancing intercultural dialogue and understanding across the world.
This looks like it going to be fabulous - I cannot wait for this to be released so that I can hear it on the surround sound system that I haven't used for almost 4 years!!
PRESS RELEASE
GRAMMY® WINNER TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON PAYS HOMAGE TO DUKE ELLINGTON'S MONEY JUNGLE
Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue marks 50th anniversary of release of historic Ellington-Mingus-Roach recording
In 1962, Duke Ellington recorded a trio date with bassist Charlie Mingus and drummer Max Roach that is today considered one of the pivotal jazz recordings of the 1960s. Money Jungle, the 1963 album that emerged from the session, was -- among other things -- a commentary on the perennial tug-of-war between art and commerce. In some ways, the album's 11 tracks were intended as a sort of counterbalance to the capitalist bent of the Mad Men generation.
We invite students and schools from around the world to join in the celebration of International Jazz Day and play “Watermelon Man” along with Herbie Hancock live from Congo Square, New Orleans at 8:15am EDT on April 30, 2012. Please video your performances of Watermelon Man and upload them to youtube.com and title them: International Jazz Day – Watermelon Man. Please include tags: JazzDay, April30, IntlJazzDay, HerbieHancock. Let us know the link and the musicians and where you performed and for how many people on this form. We’ll post your videos and your photos right here on JazzDay.com. Thanks for being part of this history making event!
The example track is performed by a Student ensemble – Aaron Shaw, tenor sax.; Brandon Choi, trumpet; Nathan Heldman, piano; Sarah Kuo, bass; Jonathan Pinson, drums;
[1 May 2012 Update: The video for the April 30th, 2012 Concert at the United Nations has been uploaded to this post. Please scroll down to enjoy almost 3 additional hours of music!]
The first ever International Jazz Day will be celebrated around the world on Monday, 30 April 2012. Three star-studded concerts have been planned for the auspicious event!
International Jazz Day Launch Concert at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France on 27 April 2012:
Vocalist China Moses' enthusiastic introduction started off the evening in Paris. The Madame Director General of UNESCO welcomed the audience in French and English. Another speech came from someone that presented greetings from President Barack Obama. During Herbie Hancock's presentation, I found out that Google and Microsoft were among the numerous sponsors for International Jazz Day (don't mind me, that's just a random comment). The concert starts about 21 minutes into the video. Check out the entire two hour and forty-five minute video below: